Managing vehicle information

ABSTRACT

A system includes a computing device for receiving information representative of activities of an operating first vehicle that includes a propulsion system. The computing device is configured to produce one or more control parameters from the received information in combination with information received from other vehicles, and, provide the one or more control parameters to control operations of a second vehicle.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of and claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/205,181, filed Jul.8, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/756,911, filed Feb. 1, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,390,062), whichclaims priority under 35 USC § 119(e) to U.S. Patent Application Ser.No. 61/593,612, filed Feb. 1, 2012, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

This description relates to techniques for managing information beingcollected from and provided to vehicles.

With the increased interest to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, theuse of alternative energy sources has been incorporated into variousapplications such as transportation. Both public and privatetransportation vehicles have been developed to run on a fuel other thantraditional petroleum based fuels (i.e., petrol, diesel, etc.). Somevehicles solely use alternative energy sources while others combine thefunctionality of petroleum based systems with alternative energy basedsystems (e.g., electrical, biofuel, wind, natural gas, etc.). Along withbeing potentially more cost-effective and having more abundantresources, such alternative energy sources and their byproducts areconsidered to be more environmentally friendly.

SUMMARY

The systems and techniques described here relate to managing informationused for controlling the operation of vehicles such as alternative fuelvehicles, vehicles that use both alternative fuel systems andconventional petroleum based systems, and even vehicles that solely usepetroleum based systems. Through collecting, processing and managingsuch information, vehicle operations may be optimized to provide avariety of advantages including conserving these energy sources, bothconventional and alternative.

In one aspect, a computing device-implemented method includes receivinginformation representative of activities of an operating first vehiclethat includes a propulsion system. The method also includes producingone or more control parameters from the received information incombination with information received from other vehicles. The methodalso includes providing the one or more control parameters forcontrolling operations of a second vehicle.

Implementations may include any or all of the following features. Thefirst vehicle may include at least a partial alternative fuel propulsionsystem. The second vehicle may include at least partial alternative fuelpropulsion system. The first vehicle may include a combustion engine.The received information may represent aspects of a partial alternativefuel propulsion system. The partial alternative fuel propulsion systemmay be an electric propulsion system. Producing the one or more controlparameters may be executed internal or external to the first vehicle.The one or more control parameters may reflect charging one or morebatteries. The second vehicle may be the first vehicle.

In another aspect, a system includes a computing device for receivinginformation representative of activities of an operating first vehiclethat includes a propulsion system. The computing device is configured toproduce one or more control parameters from the received information incombination with information received from other vehicles, and, providethe one or more control parameters for controlling operations of asecond vehicle.

Implementations may include any or all of the following features. Thefirst vehicle may include at least a partial alternative fuel propulsionsystem. The second vehicle may include at least partial alternative fuelpropulsion system. The first vehicle may include a combustion engine.The received information may represent aspects of a partial alternativefuel propulsion system. The partial alternative fuel propulsion systemmay be an electric propulsion system. Producing the one or more controlparameters may be executed internal or external to the first vehicle.The one or more control parameters may reflect charging one or morebatteries. The second vehicle may be the first vehicle.

In another aspect, one or more computer readable media storinginstructions that are executable by a processing device, and upon suchexecution cause the processing device to perform operations that includereceiving information representative of activities of an operating firstvehicle that includes a propulsion system. The operations also includeproducing one or more control parameters from the received informationin combination with information received from other vehicles. Theoperations also include providing the one or more control parameters forcontrolling operations of a second vehicle.

Implementations may include any or all of the following features. Thefirst vehicle may include at least a partial alternative fuel propulsionsystem. The second vehicle may include at least partial alternative fuelpropulsion system. The first vehicle may include a combustion engine.The received information may represent aspects of a partial alternativefuel propulsion system. The partial alternative fuel propulsion systemmay be an electric propulsion system. Producing the one or more controlparameters may be executed internal or external to the first vehicle.The one or more control parameters may reflect charging one or morebatteries. The second vehicle may be the first vehicle.

These and other aspects and features and various combinations of themmay be expressed as methods, apparatus, systems, means for performingfunctions, program products, and in other ways.

Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description andthe claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the collecting and providing information forcontrolling operations of various types of vehicles.

FIG. 2 illustrates components for collecting, processing and providinginformation to control the operations of a vehicle.

FIG. 3 illustrates a vehicle information manager.

FIG. 4 illustrates devices for presenting vehicle information.

FIG. 5 is a representative flow chart of operations for managinginformation for controlling vehicle operations.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of computing devices and systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, alternate fuel vehicles may solely rely uponalternative energy sources, such as electricity, natural gas, biofuelsetc. Rather than sole reliance on such energy sources, alternative fuelvehicles may also partially rely on an internal combustion engine alongwith one or more alternative energy sources. For example, a vehicle(referred to as a hybrid vehicle) may use two or more distinct powersources such as electric motor and an internal combustion engine(referred to as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)). Some hybrid vehicles(referred to as plug-in hybrid vehicles) may operate by using energystorage devices that can be replenished (e.g., rechargeable batteries).For electrical energy storage devices, in some arrangements, one or moretechniques may be implemented for charging and recharging the devices.For example, batteries may be charged through regenerative braking,strategic charging techniques, etc. during appropriate operating periodsof the vehicle. In general, while energy is typically lost as heat inconventional braking systems, a regenerative braking system may recoverthis energy by using an electric generator to assist braking operations.Some systems and techniques may also strategically collect (e.g., leech)energy from the combustion engine during periods of efficient operationand later assist the engine during periods of lesser efficiency. Forsuch vehicles, the electric generator can be a device separate from theelectric motor, considered as a second operating mode of the electricmotor, or implemented through one or more other techniques, individuallyor in combination. Energy recovered by regenerative braking may beconsidered insufficient to provide the power needed by the vehicle. Tocounteract this lack of energy, the electric motor may be engaged duringdefined periods to assist the combustion engine and one or more controlstrategies may be used to determine these time periods. Similarly,periods of time may also be determined to engage regenerative brakingand strategic charging to replenish energy storage. Other operations ofthe vehicle (e.g., accelerate, decelerate, gear changes, etc.) may alsobe defined for the control strategies. By developing such strategies tocontrol the assistance provided to combustion engines (during lowefficiency periods), energy may be conserved without negativelyimpacting vehicle performance.

Some vehicle manufactures may recommend operations and controlstrategies for entire classes of vehicles or other types of largevehicle groups (e.g., same model vehicles, same vehicle line, etc.) atparticular times (e.g., at the release of the vehicle line). As suchthese controls are developed for static use and are generally notdeveloped to be dynamically adjusted by the manufacturer or anotherentity. For example, once the vehicle is purchased, these genericcontrols are not adjustable.

Illustrated in the figure, an information exchanging environment 100 ispresented that allows post sale information to be collected and used toadjust control parameters of alternative energy vehicles such as hybridvehicles. From the collected, control parameters may be customized andoptimized based on post-sale information, for example, such as operatoruse of vehicles (e.g., feedback information provided from a vehicle, avehicle operator, etc.). One or more techniques and methodologies may beimplemented for collecting such information and correspondinglyproviding processed information (e.g., control parameters) to thevehicles. For example, one or more communication techniques and networkarchitectures may be used for exchanging information. In the illustratedexample a vehicle information manager 102 communicates through a network104 (e.g., the Internet, an intranet, a combination of networks, etc.)to exchange information with a collection of vehicles (e.g., a smallfleet of supply trucks 106, 108, 110, and an automobile 112). In somearrangements the network architecture 104 may be considered as includingone or more of the vehicles. For example, vehicles may include equipmentfor providing one or more network nodes (e.g., supply truck 108functions as a node for exchanging information between the supply truck110 and the network 104). As such, the information exchanging capabilitymay include the vehicles exchanging information with the vehicleinformation manager 102 and other potential network components (e.g.,other vehicles, etc.).

One or more technologies may be used for exchanging information amongthe vehicle information manager 100, the network 104 (or networks) andthe collection of vehicles. For example, wireless technology (capable oftwo-way communication) may be incorporated into the vehicles forexchanging information with the vehicle information manager 102. Alongwith collecting information from the vehicles, the vehicle informationmanger 102 may be capable of processing information (e.g., to developcontrol parameters) and executing related operations (e.g., storecollected and processed information). In some arrangements, the vehicleinformation manager 102 may operate as a single entity; however,operations may be distributed among various entities to provide thefunctionality. In some arrangements, some functionality (e.g., providingcontrol parameters for hybrid operations) may be considered a servicerather than a product that may be attained by entering into arelationship with the vehicle information manager 102 (e.g., purchase asubscription, enter into a contractual agreement, etc.). As such, thevehicle information manager 102 may be considered as being implementedas a cloud computing architecture in which its functionality isperceived by clients (e.g., vehicle operators) as a service rather thana product. For such arrangements, vehicles may be provided information(e.g., control parameters) from one or more shared resources (e.g.,hardware, software, etc.) used by the vehicle information manager 102.For service compensation, one or more techniques may be utilized; forexample, subscription plans for various time periods may be implemented(e.g., a monthly subscription fee for control parameters to be providedto identified vehicles).

Various types of control parameters and information associated withcontrolling vehicle operation may be developed and used to improveefficiency. For example, one or more control parameters, controltechniques etc. may be associated with vehicle speed (e.g., definingminimum vehicle speed, maximum vehicle speed for system assistance to beinitiated). Control parameters may also be defined that are associatedwith the operation of a regenerative braking system (e.g., the level ofregenerative braking of a zero pedal input situation, etc.). One or morepredefined operational parameters may also be used for control parameterdevelopment (e.g., a target miles-per-gallon (MPG) for initiating systemassistance, a target MPG for initiating operations of a regenerativebraking system, etc.). Control parameters may also represent quantitiesassociated with the operations of an alternate fuel system such as anelectric system (e.g., minimum level to initiate system assistance,maximum level to initiate system assistance, etc.). Parameters (e.g.,associated with initiating system assistance) may also be developedbased upon vehicle components and component operation (e.g.,transmission shift points based upon engine revolutions per minute(rpm), load effects, engine torque output based on position of anaccelerator pedal, etc.). Control parameters may also be defined basedupon information received from users such as customer or driver feedback(e.g., define one or more control parameters based upon an acceptableminimum acceleration rate while providing a desired level of efficiency,etc.).

Various types of control scenarios may be provided by the vehicleinformation manager 102. For example, the vehicle information manager102 may determine how much to assist a combustion engine based on howefficiently the engine is running at a particular moment. If the engineoperating with appropriate efficiency (e.g., a predefined efficiencylevel), less fuel may be saved from assistance provided by an electricmotor. In such a situation, assistance may be reduced as theinstantaneous MPG of the gasoline (combustion) engine increases. ThisMPG target may be set to maintain a charge sustaining system (totalregenerative energy needs to be equivalent to the total assistanceenergy). Based upon changes in temperature and amount of vehicle usage,parameters such as the steady state MPG of the engine may change (e.g.,in some situations dramatic changes may be experienced). For example,upon air conditioning being activated and set to a maximum level (e.g.,for a hot and humid day), the base MPG of the vehicle typically lowers.If the same target MPG is maintained (e.g., the target MPG with the airconditioning inactive), the amount of assistance provided to thecombustion engine could excessive and the alternate fuel system could beinefficiently depleted (e.g., the charge level of one or more batteriesof an electric motor system could be diminished). By setting the targetMPG based upon a base MPG of the vehicle defined with the airconditioning active, energy provided by the alternate fuel system can beconserved along with fuel. Such a control parameter based upon MPG maybe improved from additional information (e.g., temperature, amount ofair conditioning use, humidity, acceleration, etc.) provided from one ormore sources (e.g., one or more different vehicles) and dynamicallychanging the target MPG

Referring to FIG. 2, a top view of an example vehicle 200 (e.g., ahybrid automobile) illustrates techniques for gathering information forcontrol parameter development and use. Information associated with avehicle and its operation may be collected from various sources forcontrol parameter development. For example, one or more sensors may beincluded in the vehicle to collect operation related information (e.g.,current operating condition of the vehicle's combustion engine, electricmotor, regenerative braking system, etc.). Information may also begathered, for example, from the operator of the vehicle. In thisarrangement, the vehicle 200 includes an electronic display 202 that hasbeen incorporated into its dashboard to present information such asselectable entries regarding different topics (e.g., vehicle operations,trip destination, etc.). Upon selection, representative information maybe gathered and provided to the vehicle information manager 102. Tointeract with the electronic display 202, a knob 204 illustrates apotential control device; however, one or more other types of devicesmay be used for user interaction (e.g., a touch screen display, etc.).Other types of information may also be gathered; for example, a sensor206 (here embedded in the dashboard of the vehicle 200) may collectinformation such as cabin temperature, location of the vehicle (e.g.,the sensor being a component of a global positioning system (GPS)) andother types of information. By collecting information such as GPSlocation information, additional information may be provided foranalysis (e.g., location and destination information be used to developdriving profiles that represent acceleration and braking patterns). Bycollecting data from a fleet of vehicles (e.g., similar or dissimilar tovehicle 200), an analysis can be executed by the vehicle informationmanager 102 to produce a map of events (e.g., acceleration and brakingevents) for the area in which the fleet operates (e.g., for defining acontrol strategy for a new or previously known route). While one sensor206 is illustrated in this example, multiple sensors may be locatedinternal or external to the vehicle for collecting information (e.g.,internal or external temperature). One or more devices present in thevehicle 200 may also be used for information collection; for example,handheld devices (e.g., a smart phone 208, etc.) may collect and provideinformation (e.g., location information, identify individuals present inthe vehicle, etc.) that may be provided for use by the vehicleinformation manager 102 (e.g., determine current total weight of thevehicle). Similarly, portions of the vehicle itself (e.g., vehiclecomponents) may collect information for the information manager 102; forexample, one or more of the seats of the vehicle 200 (e.g., driver seat210) may collect information (e.g., position of the seat to estimate thedriver's weight) include) for being provided to the vehicle informationmanager 102.

To act upon the information collected and to provide an interface withthe vehicle information manager 102 (shown in FIG. 1), the vehicle 200may include a control manager 212. In some arrangements that controlmanager 212 is implemented as software (e.g., executable instructions)in a computing device contained in the vehicle; however, hardware or acombination of software and hardware may be incorporated into thevehicle 200 to provide the functionality of the control manager 212. Inthe illustrated example, the control manager 212 provides thefunctionality of gathering collected information and providing it to thevehicle information manager 102. As mentioned above, various types ofinformation may be gathered; operational information (e.g., currentspeed, acceleration, travel direction, location, etc.), informationunique to the vehicle (e.g., vehicle identification number, user/owneridentification information) along with other types of information (e.g.,contractual information such as subscription identification information,etc.) may be provided by the control manager 212. One or more types ofcommunication techniques and methodologies may be implemented by thecontrol manager 212 (e.g., to exchange data with the vehicle informationmanager 102). For example, one or more wireless communication techniques(e.g., radio frequency, infrared, etc.) that may utilize one or moreprotocols and/or standards (e.g., the IEEE 802.11 family of standardssuch as Wi-Fi, the International Mobile Telecommunications-2000(IMT-2000) specifications such as 3^(rd) generation mobiletelecommunications (3G), 4^(th) generation cellular wireless standards(4G), wireless technology standards for exchanging data over relativelyshort distances such as Bluetooth, etc.). Along with communicating withthe vehicle information manager 102, the control manager 212 may alsofunction as an interface with components of the vehicle 200. Forexample, one or more control parameters (e.g., received from the vehicleinformation manager 102) may be provided to appropriate components ofthe vehicle (e.g., interface modules, circuitry, etc. for controllingthe operations of a combustion engine, an electrical motor, etc.).Functionality of the vehicle information manager 102 and the controlmanager 212 may be distributed in a number of manners. For example, inone arrangement the control manager 212 may provide information to thevehicle information manager 102 for determining control parameters,which may be provided to back to the control manager 212 for delivery toappropriate components of the vehicle 200. Rather than being received bythe control manager 212, control parameters may be delivered to one ormore other components of the vehicle 200. In some arrangements, aportion of the vehicle information manager's 102 functionality may beexecuted onboard the vehicle 200 by the control manager 212. As such,the control manager 212 may operate significantly autonomous, althoughthe functionality of the vehicle information manager 102 and the controlmanager 212 may be distributed in different manners in somearrangements. Additionally, information may be provided to the controlmanager 212 from sources external to the vehicle 200. For example, forautonomous operation, information (e.g., weather, traffic, roadconditions, etc.) collected from other vehicles, sensors and/or othertypes of information sources (e.g., web assets such as websites) may beprovided to the control manager 212.

Referring to FIG. 3, a graphical representation illustrates anenvironment 300 for processing information to develop parameters forassisting the operation of alternative fuel vehicles and other potentialoperations. In general, control strategies may be optimized (e.g., foran individual vehicle, a fleet of similar vehicles) based on actualvehicle use information and by developing forecast data (e.g., controlparameters) that could improve vehicle efficiency, for example, byidentifying fuel-saving opportunities for alternative fuel vehicles(e.g., hybrid vehicles).

Along with information being provided by one or more vehicles (e.g.,received through the network 104 or through the user of other dataexchanging techniques), the vehicle information manager 102 may utilizedata from other sources. For example, information sources 302 externalto the vehicle information manager 102 may provide vehicle relatedinformation (e.g., manufacture recommendations for vehicle operation,etc.), environmental information (e.g., current road conditions wherethe vehicle is operating, traffic conditions, topographical information,weather conditions and forecasts, etc.). The information sources 302 mayinclude government sources (e.g., municipal, state, etc.) that providetransportation information (e.g., travel restrictions for particularvehicles, route detours, gas prices and locations, etc.), commercialsources (e.g., trucking companies, etc.) that also providetransportation information (e.g., vehicle destinations, vehicle loadpick-up and drop-off points, updated or changes in routing informationto reroute vehicles from normal routes, e.g., based upon a deliveryschedule change), etc. In some arrangements, the information sources 302may be in direct communication with the vehicle information manager 102;however, other communication techniques may also be implemented (e.g.,information from the information sources 302 may be provided through oneor more networks such as network 104).

One or more techniques may be implemented by the vehicle informationmanager 102 to develop (e.g., produce, update, etc.) vehicle controlstrategies from the data collected from the vehicles and the informationsources 302. Such developments utilize information from one or morevehicles that represents operational data (e.g., vehicle speed, driver'sintended acceleration/deceleration, gearing, and engine speed, fuel flowrate, etc.). Sensor information (e.g., from embedded vehicle sensors,sensing device present in the vehicle, etc.) may also provideinformation such as vehicle weight, road grade, temperature, etc. thatis used to analyze the vehicle's activity and develop a profilerepresentative of the manner in which the vehicle is driven. Vehiclessuch as delivery vans may frequently be driven in similar manners (e.g.,similar driving pattern, operating hours, routes, mileage, cargo beinghauled, mannerisms of the drivers, etc.). From relative currentinformation (e.g., data provided near real time) and previouslycollected information (e.g., historical data for a vehicle, a fleet ofsimilar vehicles, etc.), the vehicle information manager 102 may analyzeand produce a control strategy that accounts for the providedinformation. For example, a strategy may be produced for an individualvehicle that accounts for data associated with vehicle and informationthat accounts for historical patterns of similar vehicles, vehiclesoperating under similar conditions, etc. Since a fleet of similarvehicles would typically produce larger amounts of information, comparedto information generated by a single vehicle, control strategies basedupon multiple vehicles (e.g., vehicles operating under similarenvironmental conditions, vehicles operating in the same generalgeographical area, the entire vehicle fleet, etc.) may provide moreefficient strategies for controlling a vehicle of a similar type.

Along with developing control parameters for operations of one or morevehicles, control parameters may also address other activities relatedto vehicle operation. For example, some alternative fuel vehicles suchas plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) allow their batteries to becharged by regenerative braking but also allow the batteries to berecharged from an electric energy source (e.g., the batteries areplugged into the electric grid to be charged or recharged). Informationreflective of charging such batteries may be incorporated into theanalysis provided by the vehicle information manager 102 to determineappropriate control strategies for vehicles. For example, by analyzingthe location of potential charging stations, historical availability ofthe charging stations, current and projected electricity cost,electricity load/demand information, information associated with theelectricity grid and/or utility providers (e.g., economic and historicaldata), etc. may be used for developing appropriate vehicle controlstrategies.

In the illustrated example, to provide such functionality, the vehicleinformation manager 102 includes a server 304 that is capable of beingprovided information from the network 104 and the information sources302. Additionally, the server 304 is illustrated as being in directcommunication with a storage device 306 that is located at the vehicleinformation manager 102. To provide the functionality of managingvehicle information, a vehicle operation engine 308 is executed by theserver 304. Provided information from one or more of the sources,control parameters may be developed by the vehicle operation engine 308.Along with determining one or more control parameters to improveefficiency while retaining vehicle performance, functionality of thevehicle operation engine 308 may appropriately manage the distributionof the determined control parameters for delivery to one or morevehicles. For example, one or more database systems or other types ofdata management architectures may be utilized by the vehicle operationengine 308 to information distribution. In some arrangements, suchdistribution functionality may be provided partially or fully by theengine or external to the engine. In some arrangements this distributionfunctionality may be provided by other portions of the vehicleinformation manager 102 or provided by another entity separate from theinformation manager for distributing control parameter and/or othertypes of information. Further, while a single server (e.g., server 304)is implemented in this arrangement to provide the functionality for thevehicle information manager 102, additional servers or other types ofcomputing devices may be used to provide the functionality. For example,operations of the vehicle operation engine 308 may be distributed amongmultiple computing devices located at one or more locations.

Upon one or more control strategies being produced, one or moreoperations may be executed to provide appropriate information to one ormore vehicles. For example, operations of a computing device (e.g., theserver 304) located at the vehicle information manager 102 may providethe information to the appropriate vehicle (or vehicles). By using oneor more wireless links the information may be delivered (e.g., throughthe network 104). In some arrangements one or more trigger events mayinitiate the information being sent to a vehicle. For example, upon oneor more messages, signals, etc. being received at the vehicleinformation manager 102 (e.g., that identify a desired destination and astarting location of a hybrid vehicle), data representing theappropriate control strategy (e.g., for operating a hybrid, plug-inhybrid vehicle or conventional vehicle, etc.) may be provided to thevehicle. For arrangements in which the analysis is executed onboard thevehicle, parameters for control strategies may be identified onboard(e.g., by the control manager 212) and provided to appropriatecomponents of the vehicle. In still other arrangements, one or morestrategies could be manually loaded onto a vehicle—for example a vehiclecould be preloaded with a strategy specific to typical routes (e.g.,previously defined), have multiple driver-selectable strategies loaded,etc. Along with providing strategies, updated data may similarly be sentto vehicles to make needed adjustments to previously provided strategies(e.g., update control parameter values). Adjustments to providedstrategies may also be adjusted after delivery to the vehicle. Forexample, one or more components included in the vehicles may monitor thestrategies (e.g., using artificial intelligence algorithms, neuralnetworks, etc.) and make appropriate adjustments (e.g., optimize controlparameter values) for a combustion engine, an electric motor, etc. ofthe vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 4, along with providing information reflective ofcontrol strategies to vehicles, information may be provided to othersystems and devices (e.g., for further processing and analysisoperations). Illustrated in the figure, a collection 400 of potentialplatforms, devices, etc. is shown that represents other systems that maybe provided information from the vehicle information manager 102. Forexample, through one or more wireless communication links (e.g., via thenetwork 104), information may be provided to hand-held devices such as acellular telephone 406, a tablet computing device 404, a smart device,etc. to provide the control strategies determined for one or morevehicles. Similarly, a display device (e.g., a television 406) ordifferent types of computing devices (e.g., a laptop computer system408) may be provided the information for presentation to a user (and forpotentially collecting feedback). Along with being allowed to review theinformation (e.g., presented in a web asset such as a website, web page,etc.), further analysis may be executed. For example, the informationmay be used to identify particular vehicles, fleets of vehicles, andother types of candidate vehicles capable of having their performanceimproved. For one potential program, vehicles may be identified for fuelefficiency improvements such as being retrofitted to become hybridvehicles. As such, users of such devices (e.g., potential vehiclepurchasers, fleet vehicle purchasers, etc.) may be provided usefulinformation (e.g., when selecting vehicles, developing business plans,etc.).

Referring to FIG. 5, a flowchart 500 represents operations of acomputing device such as the server 304 (shown in FIG. 3) for managingvehicle information (e.g., for identifying appropriate controlparameters and parameter values to improve operations of an alternativefuel vehicle, a conventional vehicle, etc.). Such operations, e.g., ofthe vehicle operation engine 308 (also shown in FIG. 3), are typicallyexecuted by components (e.g., processors, etc.) included in a singlecomputing device (e.g., the server 304 of FIG. 3); however, operationsmay be executed by multiple computing devices. Along with being executedat a single site (e.g., at the vehicle information manager 102, onboarda vehicle, etc.), operation execution may be distributed among two ormore locations.

Operations may include receiving 502 information (e.g., data)representative of activities of an operating vehicle that includes apropulsion system. For example, location information of the vehicle(e.g., a vehicle with at least a partial alternative fuel propulsionsystem) along with other types of information (e.g., instances ofbraking, accelerating the vehicle, etc.) may be provided. Operations mayalso include producing 504 one or more control parameters from thereceived information in combination with information received from othervehicles. For example, based upon the collected information, strategiesmay be developed for engaging an electric motor included in the vehicle,executing regenerative braking operations to recharge a battery includedin the vehicle, etc. Operations may also include providing 506 the oneor more parameters for controlling operations of a vehicle, which may ormay not be the vehicle from which the activity information was received.For example, the control parameters may be provided to a vehicle that isoperating under similar circumstances as the vehicle that provided theactivity information. Alternatively, the control parameters may beproduced onboard the same vehicle that provided the activityinformation.

FIG. 6 shows an example of example computer device 600 and examplemobile computer device 650, which can be used to implement thetechniques described herein. For example, a portion or all of theoperations of the vehicle operation engine 308 may be executed by thecomputer device 600 and/or the mobile computer device 650. Computingdevice 600 is intended to represent various forms of digital computers,including, e.g., laptops, desktops, workstations, personal digitalassistants, servers, blade servers, mainframes, and other appropriatecomputers. Computing device 650 is intended to represent various formsof mobile devices, including, e.g., personal digital assistants,cellular telephones, smartphones, and other similar computing devices.The components shown here, their connections and relationships, andtheir functions, are meant to be examples only, and are not meant tolimit implementations of the techniques described and/or claimed in thisdocument.

Computing device 600 includes processor 602, memory 604, storage device606, high-speed interface 608 connecting to memory 604 and high-speedexpansion ports 610, and low speed interface 612 connecting to low speedbus 614 and storage device 606. Each of components 602, 604, 606, 608,610, and 612, are interconnected using various busses, and can bemounted on a common motherboard or in other manners as appropriate.Processor 602 can process instructions for execution within computingdevice 600, including instructions stored in memory 604 or on storagedevice 606 to display graphical data for a GUI on an externalinput/output device, including, e.g., display 616 coupled to high speedinterface 608. In other implementations, multiple processors and/ormultiple buses can be used, as appropriate, along with multiple memoriesand types of memory. Also, multiple computing devices 600 can beconnected, with each device providing portions of the necessaryoperations (e.g., as a server bank, a group of blade servers, or amulti-processor system).

Memory 604 stores data within computing device 600. In oneimplementation, memory 604 is a volatile memory unit or units. Inanother implementation, memory 604 is a non-volatile memory unit orunits. Memory 604 also can be another form of computer-readable medium,including, e.g., a magnetic or optical disk.

Storage device 606 is capable of providing mass storage for computingdevice 600. In one implementation, storage device 606 can be or containa computer-readable medium, including, e.g., a floppy disk device, ahard disk device, an optical disk device, or a tape device, a flashmemory or other similar solid state memory device, or an array ofdevices, including devices in a storage area network or otherconfigurations. A computer program product can be tangibly embodied in adata carrier. The computer program product also can contain instructionsthat, when executed, perform one or more methods, including, e.g., thosedescribed above. The data carrier is a computer- or machine-readablemedium, including, e.g., memory 604, storage device 606, memory onprocessor 602, and the like.

High-speed controller 608 manages bandwidth-intensive operations forcomputing device 600, while low speed controller 612 manages lowerbandwidth-intensive operations. Such allocation of functions is anexample only. In one implementation, high-speed controller 608 iscoupled to memory 604, display 616 (e.g., through a graphics processoror accelerator), and to high-speed expansion ports 610, which can acceptvarious expansion cards (not shown). In the implementation, low-speedcontroller 612 is coupled to storage device 606 and low-speed expansionport 614. The low-speed expansion port, which can include variouscommunication ports (e.g., USB, Bluetooth®, Ethernet, wirelessEthernet), can be coupled to one or more input/output devices,including, e.g., a keyboard, a pointing device, a scanner, or anetworking device including, e.g., a switch or router, e.g., through anetwork adapter.

Computing device 600 can be implemented in a number of different forms,as shown in the figure. For example, it can be implemented as standardserver 620, or multiple times in a group of such servers. It also can beimplemented as part of rack server system 624. In addition or as analternative, it can be implemented in a personal computer including,e.g., laptop computer 622. In some examples, components from computingdevice 600 can be combined with other components in a mobile device (notshown), including, e.g., device 650. Each of such devices can containone or more of computing device 600, 650, and an entire system can bemade up of multiple computing devices 600, 650 communicating with eachother.

Computing device 650 includes processor 652, memory 664, an input/outputdevice including, e.g., display 654, communication interface 666, andtransceiver 668, among other components. Device 650 also can be providedwith a storage device, including, e.g., a microdrive or other device, toprovide additional storage. Each of components 650, 652, 664, 654, 666,and 668, are interconnected using various buses, and several of thecomponents can be mounted on a common motherboard or in other manners asappropriate.

Processor 652 can execute instructions within computing device 650,including instructions stored in memory 664. The processor can beimplemented as a chipset of chips that include separate and multipleanalog and digital processors. The processor can provide, for example,for coordination of the other components of device 650, including, e.g.,control of user interfaces, applications run by device 650, and wirelesscommunication by device 650.

Processor 652 can communicate with a user through control interface 658and display interface 656 coupled to display 654. Display 654 can be,for example, a TFT LCD (Thin-Film-Transistor Liquid Crystal Display) oran OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, or other appropriatedisplay technology. Display interface 656 can comprise appropriatecircuitry for driving display 654 to present graphical and other data toa user. Control interface 658 can receive commands from a user andconvert them for submission to processor 652. In addition, externalinterface 662 can communicate with processor 642, so as to enable neararea communication of device 650 with other devices. External interface662 can provide, for example, for wired communication in someimplementations, or for wireless communication in other implementations,and multiple interfaces also can be used.

Memory 664 stores data within computing device 650. Memory 664 can beimplemented as one or more of a computer-readable medium or media, avolatile memory unit or units, or a non-volatile memory unit or units.Expansion memory 674 also can be provided and connected to device 650through expansion interface 672, which can include, for example, a SIMM(Single In Line Memory Module) card interface. Such expansion memory 674can provide extra storage space for device 650, or also can storeapplications or other data for device 650. Specifically, expansionmemory 674 can include instructions to carry out or supplement theprocesses described above, and can include secure data also. Thus, forexample, expansion memory 674 can be provided as a security module fordevice 650, and can be programmed with instructions that permit secureuse of device 650. In addition, secure applications can be providedthrough the SIMM cards, along with additional data, including, e.g.,placing identifying data on the SIMM card in a non-hackable manner.

The memory can include, for example, flash memory and/or NVRAM memory,as discussed below. In one implementation, a computer program product istangibly embodied in a data carrier. The computer program productcontains instructions that, when executed, perform one or more methods,including, e.g., those described above. The data carrier is a computer-or machine-readable medium, including, e.g., memory 664, expansionmemory 674, and/or memory on processor 652, which can be received, forexample, over transceiver 668 or external interface 662.

Device 650 can communicate wirelessly through communication interface666, which can include digital signal processing circuitry wherenecessary. Communication interface 666 can provide for communicationsunder various modes or protocols, including, e.g., GSM voice calls, SMS,EMS, or MMS messaging, CDMA, TDMA, PDC, WCDMA, CDMA2000, or GPRS, amongothers. Such communication can occur, for example, throughradio-frequency transceiver 968. In addition, short-range communicationcan occur, including, e.g., using a Bluetooth®, WiFi, or other suchtransceiver (not shown). In addition, GPS (Global Positioning System)receiver module 670 can provide additional navigation- andlocation-related wireless data to device 650, which can be used asappropriate by applications running on device 650.

Device 650 also can communicate audibly using audio codec 660, which canreceive spoken data from a user and convert it to usable digital data.Audio codec 660 can likewise generate audible sound for a user,including, e.g., through a speaker, e.g., in a handset of device 650.Such sound can include sound from voice telephone calls, can includerecorded sound (e.g., voice messages, music files, and the like) andalso can include sound generated by applications operating on device650.

Computing device 650 can be implemented in a number of different forms,as shown in the figure. For example, it can be implemented as cellulartelephone 680. It also can be implemented as part of smartphone 682,personal digital assistant, or other similar mobile device.

Various implementations of the systems and techniques described here canbe realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry,specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits),computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof.These various implementations can include implementation in one or morecomputer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on aprogrammable system including at least one programmable processor, whichcan be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data andinstructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storagesystem, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

These computer programs (also known as programs, software, softwareapplications or code) include machine instructions for a programmableprocessor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural and/orobject-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machinelanguage. As used herein, the terms machine-readable medium andcomputer-readable medium refer to a computer program product, apparatusand/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks, memory, ProgrammableLogic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructions and/or datato a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium thatreceives machine instructions.

To provide for interaction with a user, the systems and techniquesdescribed here can be implemented on a computer having a display device(e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor)for displaying data to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device(e.g., a mouse or a trackball) by which the user can provide input tothe computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide forinteraction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to theuser can be a form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback, auditoryfeedback, or tactile feedback); and input from the user can be receivedin a form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

The systems and techniques described here can be implemented in acomputing system that includes a back end component (e.g., as a dataserver), or that includes a middleware component (e.g., an applicationserver), or that includes a front end component (e.g., a client computerhaving a user interface or a Web browser through which a user caninteract with an implementation of the systems and techniques describedhere), or a combination of such back end, middleware, or front endcomponents. The components of the system can be interconnected by a formor medium of digital data communication (e.g., a communication network).Examples of communication networks include a local area network (LAN), awide area network (WAN), and the Internet.

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

In some implementations, the engines described herein can be separated,combined or incorporated into a single or combined engine. The enginesdepicted in the figures are not intended to limit the systems describedhere to the software architectures shown in the figures.

Processes described herein and variations thereof (referred to as “theprocesses”) include functionality to ensure that party privacy isprotected. To this end, the processes may be programmed to confirm thata user's membership in a social networking account is publicly knownbefore divulging, to another party, that the user is a member. Likewise,the processes may be programmed to confirm that information about aparty is publicly known before divulging that information to anotherparty, or even before incorporating that information into a socialgraph.

A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will beunderstood that various modifications can be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the processes and techniques described herein.In addition, the logic flows depicted in the figures do not require theparticular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirableresults. In addition, other steps can be provided, or steps can beeliminated, from the described flows, and other components can be addedto, or removed from, the described systems. Accordingly, otherembodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computing device-implemented method comprising:receiving information representative of activities of a first vehiclethat includes a propulsion system; producing one or more controlparameters from the received information in combination with informationreceived from other vehicles, the one or more control parametersincluding a target efficiency threshold; and providing the one or morecontrol parameters for controlling operations of a controller of thefirst vehicle or a second vehicle, wherein the first or second vehiclebeing provided the one or more control parameters includes a hybridelectric propulsion system, the provided one or more control parameterscausing the controller to control a level of assistance that an electricmotor of the hybrid electric propulsion system provides to a combustionengine of the hybrid electric propulsion system, wherein the providedone or more control parameters cause the controller to control the levelof assistance based on an efficiency level of the combustion engine, thetarget efficiency threshold, and an available electric energy, whereinthe efficiency level of the combustion engine represents a distance pervolume of fuel consumed by the combustion engine.
 2. The computingdevice-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the received informationrepresents aspects of a hybrid electric propulsion system.
 3. Thecomputing device-implemented method of claim 1, wherein producing theone or more control parameters is executed external to the first orsecond vehicle being provided the one or more control parameters.
 4. Thecomputing device-implemented method of claim 1, wherein at least one ofthe one or more control parameters relate to charging one or morebatteries to produce the available electric energy.
 5. The computingdevice-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the informationrepresentative of activities of the first vehicle is receivedsubstantially in real time.
 6. The computing device-implemented methodof claim 1, wherein the information received from the other vehicles hasbeen previously collected.
 7. The computing device-implemented method ofclaim 6, wherein the information received from the other vehicles isreceived from a computer readable storage device.
 8. The computingdevice-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the level of assistancecomprises charging one or more batteries of the first or second vehiclebeing provided the one or more control parameters to produce theavailable electric energy.
 9. The computing device-implemented method ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more control parametersrelate to an operation of the electric motor of the hybrid electricpropulsion system.
 10. The computing device-implemented method of claim1, wherein the available electric energy is retrievable from a batteryof the first or second vehicle being provided the one or more controlparameters, wherein the battery is chargeable by an electric energysource external to the first or second vehicle being provided the one ormore control parameters.
 11. The computing device-implemented method ofclaim 1, wherein the target efficiency threshold represents a targetfuel consumption ratio representing a target distance per volume of fuelconsumed.
 12. The computing device-implemented method of claim 11,wherein the target efficiency threshold represents a targetmiles-per-gallon threshold.
 13. The computing device-implemented methodof claim 1, wherein the level of assistance is further based on one ormore environmental parameters.
 14. The computing device-implementedmethod of claim 13, wherein the one or more environmental parameters areassociated with an environmental temperature of the first or secondvehicle being provided the one or more control parameters.
 15. Thecomputing device-implemented method of claim 13, wherein the one or moreenvironmental parameters are associated with a cooling system of thefirst or second vehicle being provided the one or more controlparameters.
 16. The computing device-implemented method of claim 1,wherein the efficiency level of the combustion engine represents aninstantaneous miles-per-gallon rating of the combustion engine.
 17. Asystem comprising: a computing device for receiving informationrepresentative of activities of a first vehicle that includes apropulsion system; and wherein the computing device is configured toproduce one or more control parameters from the received information incombination with information received from other vehicles, the one ormore control parameters including a target efficiency threshold; andprovide the one or more control parameters for controlling operations ofa controller of the first vehicle or a second vehicle, wherein the firstor second vehicle being provided the one or more control parametersincludes a hybrid electric propulsion system, the provided one or morecontrol parameters causing the controller to control a level ofassistance that an electric motor of the hybrid electric propulsionsystem provides to a combustion engine of the hybrid electric propulsionsystem, wherein the provided one or more control parameters cause thecontroller to control the level of assistance based on an efficiencylevel of the combustion engine, the target efficiency threshold, and anavailable electric energy, wherein the efficiency level of thecombustion engine represents a distance per volume of fuel consumed bythe combustion engine.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the receivedinformation represents aspects of the hybrid electric propulsion system.19. The system of claim 17, wherein producing the one or more controlparameters is executed external to the first or second vehicle beingprovided the one or more control parameters.
 20. The system of claim 17,wherein at least one of the one or more control parameters relate tocharging one or more batteries to produce the available electric energy.21. The system of claim 17, wherein the information representative ofactivities of the first vehicle is received substantially in real time.22. The system of claim 17, wherein the information received from theother vehicles has been previously collected.
 23. The system of claim22, wherein the information received from the other vehicles is receivedfrom a computer readable storage device.
 24. The system of claim 17,wherein the level of assistance comprises charging one or more batteriesof the first or second vehicle being provided the one or more controlparameters to produce the available electric energy.
 25. The system ofclaim 17, wherein at least one of the one or more control parametersrelate to an operation of the electric motor of the hybrid electricpropulsion system.
 26. One or more non-transitory computer readablemedia storing instructions that are executable by a processing device,and upon such execution cause the processing device to performoperations comprising: receiving information representative ofactivities of a first vehicle that includes a propulsion system;producing one or more control parameters from the received informationin combination with information received from other vehicles, the one ormore control parameters including a target efficiency threshold; andproviding the one or more control parameters for controlling operationsof a controller of the first vehicle or a second vehicle, wherein thefirst or second vehicle being provided the one or more controlparameters includes a hybrid electric propulsion system, the providedone or more control parameters causing the controller to control a levelof assistance that an electric motor of the hybrid electric propulsionsystem provides to a combustion engine of the hybrid electric propulsionsystem, wherein the provided one or more control parameters cause thecontroller to control the level of assistance based on an efficiencylevel of the combustion engine, the target efficiency threshold, and anavailable electric energy, wherein the efficiency level of thecombustion engine represents a distance per volume of fuel consumed bythe combustion engine.
 27. The non-transitory computer readable media ofclaim 26, wherein the received information represents aspects of thehybrid electric propulsion system.
 28. The non-transitory computerreadable media of claim 26, wherein producing the one or more controlparameters is executed external to the first or second vehicle beingprovided the one or more control parameters.
 29. The non-transitorycomputer readable media of claim 26, wherein at least one of the one ormore control parameters relate to charging one or more batteries toproduce the available electric energy.
 30. The non-transitory computerreadable media of claim 26, wherein the information representative ofactivities of the first vehicle is received substantially in real time.31. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 26, wherein theinformation received from the other vehicles has been previouslycollected.
 32. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 31,wherein the information received from the other vehicles is receivedfrom a computer readable storage device.
 33. The non-transitory computerreadable media of claim 26, wherein the level of assistance comprisescharging one or more batteries of the first or second vehicle beingprovided the one or more control parameters to produce the availableelectric energy.
 34. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim26, wherein at least one of the one or more control parameters relate toan operation of the electric motor of the hybrid electric propulsionsystem.